A special send off is being planned for Norfolk haulage hero Jack Richards, who died this month.

On Tuesday morning, before a private funeral in King's Lynn, Mr Richards' coffin will be placed on one of his company's vintage 1954 Bedford S type lorries and driven around Fakenham - his home town.

People are encouraged to line the streets to pay tribute to Mr Richards who was one of Norfolk's most well-known businessmen.

This will start at 10am and, after the funeral, there will be a memorial service at Fakenham Parish Church at 1.30pm, which is open to the public and expected to attract hundreds of people, followed by a wake at Fakenham Racecourse.

Denny Harvey, 77, a friend of Mr Richards for 30 years, said: 'Jack was known all over the country so I expect there will be several hundred people who want to come and pay their respects.

'It should be a special day and it right that Jack is given a fitting send off.

'Jack started his company with the S type Bedford lorries so it was felt this was a good way to do it.'

Mr Richards came to Fakenham 43 years ago with five vehicles and built up the multi-million pound road transport company, Jack Richards and Son, which now employs 370 people and owns 225 golden yellow lorries, which are instantly recognisable on roads throughout Britain.

He died, aged 90, earlier this month following a period of ill health.

Mr Richards was also president of the Fakenham and District Branch of the Royal British Legion and of Fakenham Town Band.

On Tuesday, the lorry carrying Mr Richards' coffin, will leave Mr Richards' museum of vintage British haulage vehicles, on Fakenham Industrial Estate, at 10am and head down Rudham Stile Lane, Claypit Lane, where Mr Richards lived, Highfield Road, Oak Street, through Market Place, Bridge Street, Whitehorse Street, Holt Road and back to the museum.

Becks Meadow car park, on Whitehorse Street, will open especially in expectation of extra visitors to the town.

Meanwhile, proposals are being suggested for ways in which Fakenham can honour Mr Richards' memory.

Suggestions have included naming a road after Mr Richards and having a business studies scholarship at Fakenham College in Mr Richards' name.

Send your suggestions to adam.lazzari@archant.co.uk